ACC/Big 10 "Challenge" prediction thread
Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:36 am
It's almost time for the annual made for ACCPN event where the ACC wins easily.
Wake Forest at Iowa- The Demon Deacons are dealing with the loss of their coach while the Hawkeyes are welcoming in a new coach in Todd Lickliter. Lickliter is a helluva good coach and I think in time he'll get Iowa back to a more competitive level, but not this year. The Hawkeyes are always a tough out at home but Wake has too much firepower to not win this thing, although it should be relatively close. ACC up 1-0
Georgia Tech at Indiana- Had the 2 GT frosh stuck around this could have been THE matchup of the challenge. But of course they both went pro. IU in the Hall WAY too much for the Yellow Jackets and IU rolls. Tied 1-1
Minnesota at Florida State- This is one of the more evenly matched games of the challenge this year. Minny has a lot of experience on their team and a solid front line for Tubby to work with. FSU is down a notch from the past few seasons but they aren't without talent, primarily their backcourt with Swann and Douglas. This is a toss-up game IMO but I'll give the slight edge to FSU because of the homecourt. ACC up 2-1
Northwestern at Virginia- NW is well coached enough to possibly avoid the blowout but they have no shot at a W. ACC up 3-1
Wisconsin at Duke- This is the best game of the event this year IMO. Duke is much more athletic this year than they've been the past couple years and they're back to playing a more aggressive/up-tempo style. If they have a weak spot it's that they're thin up front with bulk. Bucky is stocked up front with not only bulk but big guys with range. If they have a weak spot it's an unproven backcourt. Duke wants this game up and down to negate their weakness, Bucky wants a half court game to maximize their strength. I've gotta give the edge to the Dookies being in Cameron. [obligatory]And of course the fact that Bucky will be playing 5 on 8.[/obligatory] ACC up 4-1
Purdue at Clemson- PU has some talent but they rely too heavily on their 4 frosh to on the road early and beat a team like Clemson. ACC up 5-1
NC State at Michigan State- Night 3 of the event starts with the ACC on the verge of wrapping it up once again. Sparty puts that on hold, albeit briefly, here. NCST is good enough to make this a game but the Sparty depth and home crowd are too much for the Wolfpack to snap a W. ACC up 5-2
Illinois at Maryland- Neither team is playing at the level they were a few years back but both teams are solid. This is a pretty even matchup but I give the edge to the Terps, not only because they're at home but because their backcourt should be able to dominate the weak Illannoy guards. Pruitt and Randle will keep it close though. ACC up 6-2
Boston College at Michigan- Intriguing game as BC is down and UM is in rebuilding mode. Beilin will eventually get the Wolverines back to competing at a high level but this year will be tough. I'll give them the slight nod here though. ACC up 6-3
North Carolina at Ohio State- If the Wisc/Duke matchup isn't the best of the slate then it's this game. Hansbrough vs Koufos will be fun to watch as it'll be a match of contrasting styles. I do expect the defensive assignment to fall to Hunter most of the time though. Both teams like to get up and down so it should be a high scoring affair. I'll give the W to tO$U since the ACC will have already wrapped up the overall win, but this one could truly go either way. ACC up 6-4
Virginia Tech at Penn State- Last year I thought PSU would surprise behind Cornley and Claxton and it didn't even come close to happening. Well call me a sucker because I think PSU has a shot again this year to fair well, relatively speaking of course. Cornley prolly won't be 100% by game time but I'll still give the nod to PSU over a not that great VT squad. ACC up 6-5
So as per usual I'm calling for a close event. I can easily see UNC winning to make it 7-4, and I could see UM or PSU not holding their home court for an 8-3 margin.
Wake Forest at Iowa- The Demon Deacons are dealing with the loss of their coach while the Hawkeyes are welcoming in a new coach in Todd Lickliter. Lickliter is a helluva good coach and I think in time he'll get Iowa back to a more competitive level, but not this year. The Hawkeyes are always a tough out at home but Wake has too much firepower to not win this thing, although it should be relatively close. ACC up 1-0
Georgia Tech at Indiana- Had the 2 GT frosh stuck around this could have been THE matchup of the challenge. But of course they both went pro. IU in the Hall WAY too much for the Yellow Jackets and IU rolls. Tied 1-1
Minnesota at Florida State- This is one of the more evenly matched games of the challenge this year. Minny has a lot of experience on their team and a solid front line for Tubby to work with. FSU is down a notch from the past few seasons but they aren't without talent, primarily their backcourt with Swann and Douglas. This is a toss-up game IMO but I'll give the slight edge to FSU because of the homecourt. ACC up 2-1
Northwestern at Virginia- NW is well coached enough to possibly avoid the blowout but they have no shot at a W. ACC up 3-1
Wisconsin at Duke- This is the best game of the event this year IMO. Duke is much more athletic this year than they've been the past couple years and they're back to playing a more aggressive/up-tempo style. If they have a weak spot it's that they're thin up front with bulk. Bucky is stocked up front with not only bulk but big guys with range. If they have a weak spot it's an unproven backcourt. Duke wants this game up and down to negate their weakness, Bucky wants a half court game to maximize their strength. I've gotta give the edge to the Dookies being in Cameron. [obligatory]And of course the fact that Bucky will be playing 5 on 8.[/obligatory] ACC up 4-1
Purdue at Clemson- PU has some talent but they rely too heavily on their 4 frosh to on the road early and beat a team like Clemson. ACC up 5-1
NC State at Michigan State- Night 3 of the event starts with the ACC on the verge of wrapping it up once again. Sparty puts that on hold, albeit briefly, here. NCST is good enough to make this a game but the Sparty depth and home crowd are too much for the Wolfpack to snap a W. ACC up 5-2
Illinois at Maryland- Neither team is playing at the level they were a few years back but both teams are solid. This is a pretty even matchup but I give the edge to the Terps, not only because they're at home but because their backcourt should be able to dominate the weak Illannoy guards. Pruitt and Randle will keep it close though. ACC up 6-2
Boston College at Michigan- Intriguing game as BC is down and UM is in rebuilding mode. Beilin will eventually get the Wolverines back to competing at a high level but this year will be tough. I'll give them the slight nod here though. ACC up 6-3
North Carolina at Ohio State- If the Wisc/Duke matchup isn't the best of the slate then it's this game. Hansbrough vs Koufos will be fun to watch as it'll be a match of contrasting styles. I do expect the defensive assignment to fall to Hunter most of the time though. Both teams like to get up and down so it should be a high scoring affair. I'll give the W to tO$U since the ACC will have already wrapped up the overall win, but this one could truly go either way. ACC up 6-4
Virginia Tech at Penn State- Last year I thought PSU would surprise behind Cornley and Claxton and it didn't even come close to happening. Well call me a sucker because I think PSU has a shot again this year to fair well, relatively speaking of course. Cornley prolly won't be 100% by game time but I'll still give the nod to PSU over a not that great VT squad. ACC up 6-5
So as per usual I'm calling for a close event. I can easily see UNC winning to make it 7-4, and I could see UM or PSU not holding their home court for an 8-3 margin.
